NEHALENNIA is the Germanic Goddess of commerce. She was worshipped in the area that is now the Netherlands, and was prevalent when the Romans arrived in the area. Shrines to Nehalennia depicted her holding a basket of fruit and accompanied by a large dog, and sometimes standing on or next to the prow of a ship or holding an oar. Votive inscriptions often thanked her for safe passage across the North Sea, confirming her identification with trade and commerce. Nehalennia's name, which is thought to mean "seafarer" or "steerswoman," is also seen as NENHELLENIA.